“It’s almost impossible to live unaffected by the world. So many influences roll into our lives. Like the ocean’s tide, they crash in and move out, each time washing away more and more of our shoreline.”- Timothy D. Willard
“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called my heavenward in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 3:13-14 (NLT)
In Chapter 16 (“A Rebellion They Won’t Soon Forget: The Footpath of Beauty Chasing”), the final chapter of The Beauty Chasers, Timothy Willard asserts that we fail to choose beauty anymore. Because we live our lives too affected by the world. Thus, we allow the world to saddle us with its own agenda.
Therefore, to partake in this world, cultivate it, and chiefly to commune with God, we must avoid chasing our own tails. And growling our discontent like everyone else. Or, as the author puts it, we’ll carry the diagnosis of Affected Voice Syndrome (AVS).
In addition, Timothy notes, it’s easy to turn the world’s version of the unaffected self into a ‘me-monster’, bent on satisfying the self. Because in our age, humility, like Elvis, has left the building. As a result, Tim adds, every inch of a person’s life = fair game. Above all, this shamelessness passes for authenticity. Hence, the author adds:
“When I mention the unaffected self, I’m not talking about . . . unfiltered, unchecked whining. . . . Instead, I’m envisioning you and me, finally, standing before God, at ease with our muck because we’re standing in the brilliance of glory. In the shadow of his glory, we don’t see the muck. We see ourselves as God sees us: drenched in his presence.
I’m reminded of the apostle Paul’s words about casting off everything that hinders the pursuit of Christ. It’s a Greek image of a naked runner sprinting unencumbered to the finish line. The runner is unaffected. No AVS.”
Today’s question: What Scriptures help you live unaffected by the world? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “New freedom, not unchecked hubris”
